WCL unionists sink differences to set up football academy

WCL has earmarked Rs 30 lakh from the employees welfare fund for the academy. However, more funds would be needed, said Zama while talking to The Indian Express. “We are trying to raise a corpus fund of Rs one crore (including Rs 30 lakh from the WCL) for this project. The entire amount would be parked in bank fixed-deposits and the interest will be utilised to run the show efficiently,” Zama informed.

Zama and his fellow unionists Manohar Deshkar, Vidya Sagar Choudhari, Tajuddin and C B Frank have already homed in on the source of funds. Their plan is simple: To persuade all WCL employees to contribute one shift’s salary from their overtime allowances. Zama is confident: “Our employees will be sporting enough to contribute this pittance for a footballing cause.” With such enthusiasm, it is no wonder that a trust comprising members from all the unions and WCL, has already been registered. And an advisory committee is on the anvil to strengthen the scheme. One of the pioneers Manohar Deshkar has already made a fruitful trip to Jamshedpur’s Tata Football Academy, which is a role model for the coalmen here.

The academy, according to Zama, would come up in WCL’s Kamptee Colliery and it would have no problems as far as the infrastructure is concerned. The coal company has a beautiful football ground there. Lodging and boarding facility for 40 boys, plus a higher secondary school are added advantages. The arena also has a swimming pool and gymnasium, which require modernisation.

The academy would admit boys in the age group of 12 to 14 years. Most of them would come from Vidarbha. Aspirants from other states would also have a place here.

Zama knows that it would be difficult for the academy to `catch them young’ from the local weavers’ community, for these boys support the family business by pitching in. If they are admitted, their families will be forced to make do without a breadwinner. Hence, the trust has planned to compensate for the `losses’ by offering a monthly stipend to the boys, which would be sent to their respective families.

Kamptee and its adjoining area, one must mention here, has a long tradition of the sport. In the last century, many Kamptee players like Abdul Khalique, Salauddin, Narsaiah, Mushtaq, Abdul and Mohammed Ali have done their country proud. Given this background, the proposed academy is certain to kick off a new generation of sparkling soccer careers.